Patient-lift



0er. 28, i947.

`A. L. BREscHv PATENT-LIFT Filed July 17 1944 3 sheets-sheet 1 A. L.. BREscH PATIENT-LIFT f Filed July 17, 1944 loct.- 2s," 1947.

5 sheefs-sneet 2 Flc?.

ALBERT L.. BRESGH ATTORNEY octzs, 1947. A.| .B'RESH V f y 2,429,865`

PATIENT-LIFT INVENTOR. lALBERT L BRESCH Malfa; ula l ATToBNEt Patented ct. 28, 194i? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates in general to certain new and useful improvements in patient-lifts for use in hospitals and in the field in the care of the sick and wounded.

The problem of lifting, turning and otherwise handling the sick has, in the past, been dealt with by the development of a great number of very complicated and expensive beds, such as fracture beds and the like. In addition, beds with builtin patient lifts of a very cumbersome type have from time to time been proposed. Except for very specialized and unusual cases, however, such devices have proven ineffective. In the first place, it is almost prohibitively expensive to outt a hospital with such specially constructed beds and even apart from the matter of expense, such beds do not possess some of the features of adjustability necessary in the day to day care of the ordinary type of patient who is either convalescing or is suffering from a non-critical illness. Furthermore, a patient-lift is not needed for the entire period during which a patient is hospitalized so that the equipment is idle for much of the time.

For these reasons there has long been a vital need for a patient-lift which is completely portable and can be readily movedfrom place to place and set up for use quickly, simply and as an adjunct or accessory to a standard hospital bed, or, Where necessary, may be used in the field in caringI for wounded soldiers from a battle area.

It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to providea patient lift, which is simple and economical in construction; and which is capable of being rapidly and conveniently disassembled, or knocked down as it may be said, so as to be reduced to a very compact size and shape for easy portability from place to place in a hospital or even from house to house by nurses on house duty.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device of the type stated which is lightweight and yet rugged and durable.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a device of the type stated which is relatively inexpensive in both initial cost and maintenance, and which may be use d as an adjunctV or accessory to a standard hospital bed without materially interfering with the normal operation or. functions of the bed and without cluttering up the bed with unsightly, unsanitary and unremovable gadgets which reduce eiliciency and hamper rather than aid the nurse in the performance of her duties.

And with the above and other objects in view,

my invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts presently described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying d r a w i n g s sheets)- Figure 1 is a top plan View of a patient-lift constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational View of the patient-lift;

Figures 3, 4, and 5 are sectional views taken respectively along lines 3 3, 4-4, and 5-5 of Figure 1;

(three Figure 6 is a sectional View taken along line 6-6 yof Figure 2;

Figures 7 and 8 are sectional views taken respectively along lines 1-1 and 8-8 of Figure 1; and

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form of handle mechanism forming a part of the present invention;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form of splined lift screw forming a part of the present invention;

Figure 11 is a transverse sectional view taken along line Il--H of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a plan View of a modified form of patient-lift constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary View partly broken away and in section illustrating in more detail the modified form of patient-lift shown in Figure 12; and

Figure 14 is an exploded view of the modified form of patient-lift shown in Figure 12.

Referring now in more detail to the drawings which illustrate a preferred form of the present invention, the patient-life comprises a central H-shaped frame I, consisting of two T-shaped elements 2, 3, formed preferably of seamless tubing of square cross-sectional shape. The element 2 integrally includes a longitudinal side-rail forming member 4 and a lateral member 5. Similarly, the element 3 comprises a side-rail forming member 6, identical in size and shape with the corresponding member 4, and a lateral member 1 having a cross sectional size adapted for slidable telescopic fit, as at a, the member 5 being provided with a suitable set screw 8 for holding the lateral members 5, 1, in any selected position of adjustment. It is, thus, possible toadj ust the transverse width of the main frame I to lit beds of varying width where beds other than standard hospital beds are being used.

Internally, the members 4, 5, 6, l, of the main frame l are provided with shaft-bearing sleeves 9, l0, il, I2, i3, and ill, substantially as shown in Figure 6. Rotatably mounted in, and extending through, the shaft-bearing i! is a cross shaft l5 provided at its outer end with a bevel gear l and at its other end with a collar il bearing against the adjacent face of the shaft-bearing l i to prevent lengthwise translation of shaft I5. At its inner end the shaft l5 is integrally provided with an axially extending sleeve IS which projects into the lateral member l of the frame element 6 and is of rectangular cross section for slidably receiving the rectangular end le of a companion cross shaft 2U which is in turn rotatably mounted in the bearing sleeve l2 and held against lengthwise shifting movement by suitably pinned collars 2l, 2l. At its outer end the shaft Z is provided with a bevel gear 22 and then projects through an aperture 23 formed in the outer face of the frame member El, terminating in a conventional crank-shaped handle 2li. Rotatably mounted in the shaft bearings 9, l0, are identical jack shafts 25 each provided on its end with beve1 gears 26, 21, the latter being in meshing engagement with the bevel gears it. Similarly mounted in the shaft bearings i3, lll, are identical jack shafts 28 provided on their ends with bevel gears 29, 30, the latter being in meshing engagement with the beve1 gear 22.

It should be noted in this connection that the bevel gears 26, 29 are so positioned as to project a short distance outwardly from the ends of the side-rail forming members 4, all as best seen in Figures 3 and 6.

Also provided are four identical leg members 3i, each formed integrally of seamless squaresection tubing ofsubstantially the same type and shape as the tubing employed in fabricating the main frame l. Adjacent the upper end and projecting laterally from one side face of each leg 3l is a short sleeve 32, sized for snug fitting telescopic engagement over one of the ends of the side-rail forming members 4, 6. Fixed within the leg member 3l is a bearing sleeve 33 provided for loosely receiving a vertical lift screw 'ed which bears upon the upper face of the shaft bearing 33, and is provided with an integrally formed bevel gear 3S adapted for meshing engagement with one of the projecting bevel gears 26, 29. Also fixed within the leg 3! adjacent the upper end thereof is an upper shaft bearing sleeve 3l having at its lower end an integrally formed, diametrically reduced extension 38 which bears at its lower end against the upper face of the bevel gear 36 and thus holds the bevel gear operatively in place. The lift screw 3d extends loosely thro-ugh the bearing sleeve 3l and projects upwardly therefrom and at its projecting end is provided with a head member 39 having a diametral bore 4U, all as best seen in Figures 3 and 8 for purposes presently more fully appearing.

It should be noted that each of the sleeves 32 of the legs 3| will fit any one of the ends of the side-rail forming members 4, 6, and similarly the bevel gears 3G will mesh and engage any one ofthe bevel gears 26, 29, so that the legs are completely interchangeable. Furthermore, lby reason of the rectangular cross-section of the tubing the legs 3| will remain in upright position at 90 to the plane of the main frame i when the patient-lift is set up and it is impossible for the legs to collapse accidentally under the frame when the patientlift is in actual use. In addition, the -sleeves 32 and the ends of the side-rail forming members il, G, are provided with transversely aligned apertures, as at b, for receiving movable securing pins il! as shown in Figure 8, Iwhereby the legs and main frame may be securely held together when the device is set up in operative position. It will, of course, be obvious that the pins li may be quickly removed when the device is being disassembled or knocked down.

Provided for removable sliding insertion through the bored holes d oi. the head members 39 are sturdy elongated rods d2 and looped around and extending more or less horizontally between the rods l2 are continuous webbing bands or straps 43 upon which the body of the .patient may rest, as best seen in Figures l and 5. Any desired number of these bands d3 may be employed and they may be shifted longitudinally of the device to various portions of the patients body as the particular circumstances may require and demand. In fact, preparatory to using the patientlift any suitable number of bands i3 may be pushed carefully under the body of the patient so that the looped ends will hang down somewhat over the edge of the mattress on either side. Then, the rods l2 may be threaded through such looped ends and inserted through the bored holes Gil. When in such inserted position, the rods Q2 not only support the bands 133 but effectively hold the lift-screws 3d from turning, so that they will be propelled upwardly upon rotation of the bevel gears 35.

In some cases it is undesirable to have the handle 24 located on the side of the device in the region of the center of the bed. It is accordingly possible to provide a modied form of end post or leg 3i', which is substantially identical in all respects to the legs 3i except that it is integrally provided in its outer face with a bulge or enlargement M designed and meshed to provide a bearing 35 for rotatably receiving a stub shaft d6 which extends therethrough, Pinned or keyed 'upon the near end of the stub shaft 46 is a main drive beve1 gear il for engagement with a bevel gear 36; the latter corresponding in every respect to the previously described bevel gears 35 and similarly pinned or keyed to the outer end of the stub shaft d8 is a conventional crank handle d8, all as best seen in Figure 9.

Itmmay also be desirable to avoid the use of the rods l2 to prevent the lift screws 34 from rotating, although this is the most economical and convenient manner of construction. Therefore, it is also possible to provide each of the legs 3l at its upper end with a modied form of bearing sleeve 31 having a central screw receiving bore di), which is integrally provided with an axial spline 5e, for sli-dable engagement in a groove or weight 5I milled lengthwise in the modiiied form of lift screw 3d', all as best seen in Figures 10 and 11. As a result of this method of construction the lift screw 3d will shift vertically upon rotatable movement of the bevel gear S6 wihout imposing any twisting stress upon the rod i If desired, a patient-lift may be fabricated of tubing of circular cross section as shown in Figure Y12 and is substantially similar to the previously described embodiment of the present invention comprising an H-shaped main frame l formed of two T-shaped sections 2', 3', having side-rail forming members 4', S', and interiltting or telescoping lateral members 5', l', The lateral member 5 is provided with a pair of laterally inwardly extending `diametrically opposed pinsr'52 for slidableccoperation with a pair of axially extending diametrically juxtaposed slots 53,V formed in the telescoping end of the lateral member l" so as to permit width-wise adjustment of the main frame l and at the same time prevent rotation of the two lateral members, one within the other. Similarly, the leg receiving Aends of the side-rails 4', 6 are provided with inwardly projecting radial pins 54 for cooperation with axially extending diametrically juxtaposed slots 55 formed 'in the tubular extensions 56 of the leg members 3i". The tubular extension 56 are sized for tting telescopically within the outer ends'of the side-'rails 4', S and the latter are arcuately cut away as at c for snug fitting edgewise engagement with the cylindrical surface of the leg member 3 I The cooperation between the pins 5 and the slots 55 prevent the legs 3| from accidentally rotating with respect to the side-rails 6 when the patient-lift is set-up for actual use. The leg receiving ends of the siderails 6', and the tubular extensions 5t are provided with registering apertures 5l for reeeiving removable locking pins 4I', all as best se'en in Figures 13 and 14.

t willbe apparent that the patient-lift of the present invention is simple, rugged and economical in construction and may be quickly and conveniently knocked down or set up and easily carried from place to place as circumstances may require. 1t may be adjusted to fit beneath and around hospital beds and other beds in which sick patients may be placed. For example, two or three patient-lifts of the type described may be kept on each hospital iloor and may be quickly set up as an adjunct or accessory device around a hospital bed while the patient is critically ill and is, therefore, diiiicult to handle. The relationship between a hospital bed and the patientlift when the latter is in operatively set-up position, is shown in Figures 1, 2, and 5, wherein the hospital bed is depicted in desired lines. After the patient has recovered sufficiently to be able to move himself or at least to assist the nurse in moving him, the patient-lift may be disassembled quickly and Conveniently and transported to the bedside of another critically ill patient or to storage as the need may be.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the patient-lift may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A portable patient-lift comprising an H- shaped main frame consisting of two tubular side-rail-forming members nected by a telescoping cross-member having means for securing the cross-member in any of its several positions of adjustment whereby the transverse width of the frame may be varied, four leg-members each provided with a lateral tubular sleeve for snug-litting telescoping engagement on the ends of the side-rail-forming members for detachable securement thereto, elevating means in the leg-members, and manually operable driving means in the main frame for operative engagement with the elevating means when the leg-members are secured in place on the main frame.

2. A portable patient-lift comprising an H- shaped main frame consisting of two tubular transversely conside-rail-forming membersY transversely connected by a telescoping cross-member having means for securing the cross-member in any of its several positions of adjustment whereby the transverse width of the frame may be varied, four leg-members each provided with a lateral tubular sleeve for snug-tting telescoping engagement on Vthe ends of the side-rail-forming members for detachable securement thereto, elevating means in the leg-members, manually operable driving means in the main frame for operative engagement with the elevating means when the leg-members are secured in place on the main frame, and means for optionally locking the legmembers in place on the frame.

' 3. A' portable patient-liftvcomprising an H- shaped main frame consisting of two tubular side-rail-forming members transversely connected by a telescoping cross-member having means for securing the cross-member in any of its several positions of adjustment whereby the transverse width of the frame may be Varied, four leg-members each provided with a lateral tubular sleeve for snug-fitting telescoping engagement on the ends of the side-rail-forming members for detachable securement thereto, elevating means in the leg-members, means operatively mounted in the main frame for interconnecting the several elevating means when the legmembers are secured in place on the main frame, said last named means including a'lengthwise adjustable transverse shaft extending axially through cross-member of the frame, and manually actuable means for driving the elevating means.

4. A portable patient-lift comprising an H- shaped main frame formed of tubing of square cross-section and including two side-rail members transversely connected by a telescopically adjustable cross-member having means for securing the cross-member in any of its several positions of adjustment whereby the transverse width of the frame may be varied, four leg-members-each provided with a lateral tubular sleeve for snug-fitting telescoping engagement on the ends of the side-rail-forming members for detachable securement thereto, elevating means in the leg-members, and manually operable driving means in the main frame for operative engagement with the elevating means when the legmembers are secured in place on the main frame.

5. A portable patient-lift comprising an H- shaped main frame formed of tubing of arcular cross-section and including two side-rail members transversely connected by a telescoping cross-member having means for securing the cross-member in any of its several positions of adjustment whereby the transverse width of the frame may be Varied, each of said side rails being provided at its ends with inwardly projecting pins, four leg-members each provided with a lateral tubular sleeve for snug-fitting telescoping engagement on the ends of the siderail-forming members for detachable securement thereto, and having slots for engaging the pins whereby the legs and rails are firmly held in a predetermined angular relationship, elevating means in the leg-members, manually operable driving means in the main frame for operative engagement with the elevating means when the leg-members are secured in place on the main frame, and means for optionally locking the legmembers in place on the frame.

6. A portable patient-lift comprising a main frame having four outwardly presented end portiens of rectangular cross-section, leg-members having laterally presented portions sized and shaped for telescopically intertted and interchangeable engagement with any one of the end. portions of the frame, elevating means operatively mounted in the leg-members, and manually actuable driving means mounted in the frame for driving engagement with the elevating means when the leg-members are operatively secured to the main frame and adapted to disengage readily when the leg-members are removed from the main frame. v

'7.` A portable patient-lift comprising a main frame having four outwardly presented end portions, leg-members having laterally presented portions sized for telescopically interiitted and interchangeable engagement .with any one of the end portions of the frame, elevating means operatively mounted in the leg-members, manually actuable driving means mounted in the frame for driving engagement with the elevating means when the leg-members are operatively secured to the main frame and adapted to disengage readily When the leg-members are removed from the main frame, and co-operably interengaging means on the telescopically intertted portions of the legs and frame for holding the legs vertical when the frame is horizontal.

8. A portable patient-lift comprising a main frame having four outwardly presented end portions, leg-members having laterally presented 8 portions szedfor telescopically intertted and interchangeable engagement With any one of the end portions of the frame, elevating means operatively mounted in the leg-members, manually actuable driving means mounted in the frame for driving engagement with the elevating means when the leg-members are operatively secured to the main frame and adapted to disengage readily When the leg-members are removed from the main frame, and co-operably interengaging pinand-slot means on the telescopically intertted portions of the legs and frame for holding the legs vertical when the frame is horizontal.

ALBERT L. BRESCI-I.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,127,309 Rickard Aug. 16, 1938 2,261,297 Seib Nov, 4, 1941 2,255,462 Cowles Sept. 9, 1941 2,348,778 Black May 16, 1944 59,261 Postawka Oct. 30, 1866 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 12,718 Great Britain June 29, 1893 421,625 France Dec. 27, 1910 

